…everyone who has, more will be given, but the one who has not, even what he has will be taken. Luke 19:26  

Bert lay on his deathbed, breath coming in shallow gasps. He motioned for his nurse to bring him a pad and pen, and with great effort, he scrawled: “It’s buried under the porch.” The nurse read the words and lifted a brow. “Sir?” A thin smile inched across Bert’s face. “Yes,” he rasped. “I…won. I…died with the most.” The nurse gazed at his ashen face. “Sir, I mean no disrespect, but what did you win? You’re dying alone. You have no family, no friends, and you’ve lived in squalor and hoarded every penny you made. How is that winning?” Eyes still closed, Bert whispered, “I was afraid to lose it, but I guess it won’t help me now.”

When Jesus gave this warning in Luke, He wasn’t referring only to money. He’s given each of us unique gifts, talents, opportunities, resources, and interests that He expects us to invest for His purposes. Our earthly situations are intended to produce eternal dividends, and when we hoard our resources, ignore our gifts, or squander our time, we produce nothing of lasting value. But when we invest our lives in kingdom work, our Father is glad to entrust us with more. He can trust us with money when we funnel it into His work. He showers us with more gifts when we develop and use the ones we have. Our temporary stay on earth is prep time for eternity, and our ultimate life goal should be to stand before Jesus on judgment day—all used up.

Final Thought:  What has God entrusted to you that you are wasting on things that have no lasting value?

Prayer: Father, I never thought of my life as being your investment. Am I giving you a good return on all you’ve loaned to me? Show me the areas where I’m squandering my life. I want to be worthy of being entrusted with more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.